Read a good book lately? We have. CTA Secretary-Treasurer David Goldberg got an advance start on CTA’s California Reads/Read Across America by reading CTA-recommended books to dual immersion first and fourth grade classes at McKinley Elementary School in Burbank today. The official day is Friday, March 1, as classrooms across California and the nation make time to celebrate the joy and importance of reading.

Among the thousands of events happening Friday, CTA President Eric Heins will be reading to first graders at Alta Vista Elementary School in Los Gatos, and CTA Vice President Theresa Montano will be reading to students at Fremont Elementary in Alhambra. California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond will be a special guest reader at Jordan Elementary in Orange.

“Reading skills really last a lifetime and are the cornerstone of all learning,” says Heins. “Adults reading to students and modeling reading for our children is a great way to encourage reading. That’s why we’re including adults in our reading adventures this year, too.” On March 1, Heins recommends adults take the “Reading Challenge” and post to their social media channels using the hashtag #IAmReading their favorite reads, be it personal or professional books.

California Reads/Read Across America resources, including bookmarks, posters, and recommended books are available at www.cta.org/californiareads.